During the 1960s, the US Army was in desperate need of a new Advanced Aerial Fire Support System, as their experience in Vietnam had shown them that the odd assortment of field modified helicopters that they had been using as support aircraft were not up to the task.
Thus, the Army issued a request for proposal in August of 1964, and a total of 148 companies and organizations participated in the competition. The winner would earn a contract to develop, build and supply the US Army with the new aircraft.
Out of all the proposed designs, the most interesting one by far was the Convair Model 49. In an ambitious and groundbreaking move, Convair presented the outline of something never seen before.
In contrast to all its competitors, Model 49 wasn’t a helicopter, nor was it a plane. It was something entirely new: a heavily armed shrouded rotor aircraft.
The futuristic airship sought to keep the speed and agility of an aircraft while adding the versatility and hovering capabilities of a helicopter. Model 49 was the ultimate support vehicle at least on paper and it was years ahead of its time.
It undoubtedly blew everyone away, but developing it would not be an easy endeavor…
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